Random Droppings

Brady is showing signs of responding well to chemo. Last week, just before starting the drugs, he had a packed cell volume (measure of red blood cells) of 11%, which is way low. Dangerously low, actually. He'd dropped from 27% in June, to 21% at the first oncology visit, to 11% a week later. One week from that low, he has rebounded to 22% -- doubled in 7 days. Of the past 7 days, he's been on steroid for 7, and the chemo for 4 out of 6 days.

This is incredible.

They want to see how he does after a solid week of chemo. Since that's difficult with the present formulation of sticky capsules (stressful for the giver and givee, let me tell you), we'll see once we get the oral suspension which should arrive in the next 2-4 days. I think I'll skip tonight's dose, as he's just finished a stressful visit to the vet, and deserves a wee break.

Phew.

In other cat news, I discovered why Cleo is getting more plump: she's been breaking into the cat food containers and bags on her own. Silly cat. I put the large bag of dry food in the hall bath and closed the door. Let's see how long it takes for her to drop a pound now.

Loki and Junie B are much the same.

In dog news, we confirmed that it is Hercules who likes to bark. We've ordered a collar for prevention of barking, and once that gets here, we'll be training him to stop. This will please the FG who cannot sleep through barking.

In other news, the stuff that I can neither confirm nor deny continues apace. Paperwork is processed. Plans are made. The not-a-best-woman waits for firm details.

(Doubled! In one week! I was hoping for a modest increase, say to 15%...)

It's been short but busy week at work, so I've been away from keyboard a bit. I watched the DNC speeches -- particularly Senator Clinton's speech, Senator Biden's and then Senator Obama's acceptance speeches. I haven't watched political events in a number of years, primarily because I cannot stand to watch the Shrub saying anything. I was reassured and enlightened by what I heard, and grateful that the Democrats seem to be pulling together to work on getting this election, this time. My partner is still upset that Senator Clinton didn't get the nomination, but I've liked both candidates all along, and I still think it's a win-win for the DNC.

McCain's selection of Palin is strange. I agree with the commentators who think McCain is trying to be a "maverick", even though he really hasn't been at odds with central GOP policies -- he voted in lockstep with Shrub's wishes for 90% of the time. It's funny too, because years ago I thought he was the better GOP candidate, and actually respected him.

Back to Obama: I remember listening to a recording of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and I remember the changes that occurred in our society throughout the mid- to late 60s. I don't think anyone would have accepted a prediction that in only 45 years we would have a black man running for President (and a woman running for the nomination at the same time). No matter how we look at it, this is a historic election for the Democrats. It's wonderful. There's still a lot to change in American society, but this election could never have happened without all the changes we've managed to accomplish in the past 45 years. ( Ranting and Raving for a bit )But I digress.

So this morning we were doing some Wii workouts, and Son wasn't actually running in that exercise. He gave us some attitude about it, so we ended up going around the block for a mile (us) or two (him). He gave us a lot more attitude in the beginning of the walk, and he was given some extra walking to do -- but he settled down so we cut it back to two extra laps. He was better-behaved after that. While he was walking his laps we got started on some yard work -- the vines are back, and I had to whack them down -- and some trimming of the bushes. A young man stopped by to ask for work on yard stuff; we gave him a tree or two to trim and he brought his brother over to do the job. It wasn't too bad; they did trim the branches away from the power lines and the other tree was right up against the house. Now the Honey and the Sonny are at the pool, cooling off before the rain comes.

ObFeline: Kedgie and Buzz were actually shoulder-to-shoulder just a little while ago. She was cleaning her stomach while he was sitting next to me; I got up to get something and he shifted a bit -- I saw the Kedge-ster look over, sniff him, and go back to her cleaning. Very cute!